MSI: Elevated permissions in custom actions

The symptom:
MSI installer runs successfully if launched with "Run as administrator" from windows explorer.
The same MSI fails to execute custom actions if run in silent mode from a command line.

The solution:
In custom actions in the MSI installer built with Installshield - when one needs to run the custom action in elevated permissions it is important to set it's execution as "defered in system context":

This custom action will inherit the permissions of the MSI.  
Make sure the to execute it in the sequence of "Install Exec" and not "Install UI" since the install UI will run in restricted permissions in command line.

Post a Comment

Previous Post Next Post